Brennan O'Brien Memorial Fund

Brennan O’Brien Memorial Fund

We are keeping the memory of Brennan O’Brien alive, with the help of those who knew him, by honoring his passion for living, working, and helping other students kick start their careers. The Brennan O’Brien Memorial Fund will annually assist a senior graduating from Moorestown High School (MHS) lessen the cost of college.

Brennan received one of the small scholarships given to select graduates at MHS and he was pleased to have been recognized. Each year, the Brennan O’Brien Memorial Fund will grant at least one scholarship award to a deserving MHS student, in accordance with the high school’s application process. Ideally the recipient will be a senior planning to matriculate at Brennan’s alma mater, University of Richmond (UR), with a similar drive and business acumen that Brennan displayed. Alternatively the recipient may be senior that has demonstrated superior academic performance and, who like Brennan, is a leader in, and exhibits passion and drive for, business, debate or mock trial.

Thomas Brennan O’Brien, III, was a 2004 graduate of MHS and 2008 graduate of UR. Brennan was loving life as a newlywed, son, brother, and friend. He was shining in an upward career in Manhattan as a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) at Barclays and CIBC, when he was diagnosed at age 29 with a rare form of cancer. Brennan died just eight months later. He jammed much into his 30 years, and greatly impacted the lives around him.

While at UR, Brennan was awarded the Student Service Award in Finance, for his exemplary contributions to the Robins School of Business, and, after his passing the award has been named in his honor. As the first UR grad to be hired by Barclays, Brennan felt a responsibility to blaze a successful path for himself, and to help all the subsequent UR hires at Barclays succeed. After graduation, Brennan was an active alumni, mentoring students from UR and other universities by preparing them for interviews and helping them identify a fitting career path. This fund was established so that we can help others pursue their dream career just as Brennan had.

From the time Brennan was little, it was clear that he was a people person. Brennan’s infectious personality, engaging smile and enjoyment of life was special to everyone around him. His wife Allison, his sister Alexandra, his parents Tom and Freddi, and all of his friends and colleagues, have so many special memories, including:

Spending the day at the cabin in the Catskills – biking, hiking and grilling

Playing Frisbee with their dog Spice at the dog park

Summiting Mt Rainier and Mt Whitney, ice climbing in Ouray and The Gunks, hiking in the Catskills

A half-marathon or triathlon, which he consistently tried to convince others to join or watch

The emails he would send when he read something that would interest you

Annual Mother’s Day golf foursome with his parents and sister

Thanksgiving, with 40+ family members when he was young, his favorite holiday

His cousin said of Brennan, “Every so often we meet someone who is the ‘life of the party’ for all the right reasons. That person who is smart, attractive, friendly, who is willing to help you at a moment’s notice. Always the first to step on stage, grab the mic and lead the room in whatever direction was best at that moment. We all need an occasional reminder that we are not invincible and to cherish the time we have with those around us. This is your reminder that life is short, sometimes shorter than we ever dreamed.”

Brennan fought his disease in the same way he tackled challenges in the professional and athletic arenas: with a composure, resilience and humor that made an impression on all who were lucky enough to spend time with him. As a way to celebrate his life we created this scholarship fund in Brennan’s memory, to share Brennan’s spirit and love and goodness with others.

The above Memorial Fund is established as a division of Charitysmith Nonprofit Foundation (EIN 87-0636433). All donations are tax deductible in accordance with federal tax law. Receipts for tax purposes are sent via US Mail within two weeks of donation. Please consider asking if your employer participates in a gift-matching program. If so, your donation may be matched by your employer.

The above Memorial Fund is established as a division of Charitysmith Nonprofit Foundation (EIN 87-0636433). All donations are tax deductible in accordance with federal tax law. Receipts for tax purposes are sent via US Mail within two weeks of donation. Please consider asking if your employer participates in a gift-matching program. If so, your donation may be matched by your employer.